In the 10/11/12 new England Journal of Medicine, the President and Romney wrote articles on healthcare. In addition, there are two "perspective" articles.
In this diary, I summarize Romney's disaster of a plan . There is also a good "perspective" article about it.
Thanks to Alan Grayson for the "don't get sick" line... seems apropos yet again
First Romney notes:
Families will have the option of keeping their employer-sponsored coverage, but they will also be empowered to enjoy the greater choice, portability, and security of purchasing their own insurance plans. As a result, they will be price-sensitive, quality-conscious, and able to seek out the features they want. Insurers will have to compete for their business. And providers will find themselves operating in a context where cost and price finally matter. Competition among providers and choice among consumers has always been the formula for better quality at lower cost, and it can succeed in health care as well.
First off, doesn't this already exist in some form? Of course everybody has the option to opt out of their employer-provided plan. Despite the fact that copays go up and coverage has declined, people stick with their employer's plan. Why? Because the other plans one can buy are garbage. Well, I guess if you are a healthy 27 year old the plan could be cheap.. but just don't get sick. Anyhow, there is already "competition". The problem is that healthcare is so expensive that the only way price goes down is if the plans provide less coverage or high deductibles.
He also mentions how providers will operate where cost and competition matter. In today's system, prices are mostly driven by Medicare. Would he scrap that? Wait I'm confused.. I thought Republicans like Doctors. But now, he will remove the floor of Physician salaries?
Oh.. Mitt has the answer..
we must end tax discrimination against persons purchasing insurance, we must strengthen and expand health savings accounts
Yes. health savings accounts!! The average American with dwindling savings can now save tax free to buy an insurance plan that barely covers anything! This will surely expand the pool. So.. Romney basically wants the old Republican plan of health savings accounts.
eliminating onerous mandates, facilitating purchasing pools, and opening up an interstate market. Regulation must prevent insurers from discriminating against people with preexisting conditions who maintain continuous coverage.
Now Mitt seems to say that the problem is over-regulation (mandates)? And hey, if you have insurance, no problem with the pre-existing condition. If you lack it.. well... hmm...
Innovators should increase their investments in new cures, and those cures should reach the market faster. Achieving these goals requires medical malpractice reform, a streamlined regulatory framework to support the interoperability of information technology, and strong Food and Drug Administration leadership committed to a practical and predictable approval process that appropriately evaluates risk.
Yes!! Let's get flawed drugs on the market. And let's eliminate malpractice suits. so people can't sue the Pharmaceutical companies for the flawed drugs.
Entitlement reform? Mitt is on it!
For younger Americans, I will implement a system similar to that used by members of Congress. Future beneficiaries will have a set of Medicare-approved, guaranteed-coverage plans to choose from, including today's traditional fee-for-service option. Plans will participate in a competitive bidding process to establish the premiums they will charge, as they do in the Medicare prescription drug plan that has so effectively controlled cost
Wow.. we can have the same system that Congressmen and women have!! (Except we can't get their excellent plans)..
Finally,
Nor can our society ever turn its back on those who cannot afford the care they need. We will provide support for low-income Americans and those uninsured persons whose preexisting conditions push the cost of coverage too high for them to pay themselves.
Mitt then explains that the states should do this, because they should.
And Mitt has a zinger about the President's plan:
But his plan has already failed to deliver on virtually every promise he made, and its components are failing as quickly as they go into effect.
yes! it is a massive failure! Well, except for the fact that the donut hole was closed. And kids can stay on their parent's policies. And free screening exams. And pre-existing conditions. But aside from thee minor details.. Obama's plan has failed. Right, Mitt